- ward
- A minor whose financial affairs are managed by a guardian appointed by a court. Incompetent people also can be wards of a court.
- warrant
- A certificate allowing the bearer to purchase stock at a fixed price at some future date.
- warranty deed
- A deed by which the seller of a property guarantees that the property is free of liens and encumbrances.
- wash sale
- A stock-manipulation scheme in which traders buy and sell shares repeatedly in a short period of time to give the impression that the stock is a hot item, when really it is not.
- will
- A legal document stating how a person wants his or her property disposed of after death.
- withholding
- Taking deductions from income to cover taxes or liabilities.
- write-off
- Removing an item from an account ledger, because the item has been fully depreciated or deemed worthless.